Head South for the Winter! 8 Southern Vacation Destinations You NEED to Visit

Winter is a cold and desolate time. The skies are grey, the mood is somber, and the wind chills you to the bone.

If that doesn’t convince you to take a southern vacation, what will? There’s quite literally no better time to fly south than in the dead of winter.

Wondering where you should go? We’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll tell you 8 can’t miss destinations in the south. These places are all beautiful, have tons of activities for you and the whole family, and most importantly, stay warm year-round.

Pack your bags, its time for your southern vacation.

1) Austin, TX

Austin is one of the coolest cities in the entire world. When you’re there, you’ll find it hard to believe that you’re actually in Texas. No offense, Texans.

It’s the perfect place to heat up and take in some art and culture. If you go in early March, you’ll be just in time for the South By Southwest festival, which is the premier music and film festival in the US. It now has a pretty strong tech element as well.

If your thing is kicking back at a dive bar and having a beer, Austin has you covered. If you like to eat tacos for every meal, Austin’s got that too. If you love walking around a vibrant city with lots of parks and museums, then Austin is your spot.

2) New Orleans, LA

If you’ve ever been to New Orleans, you know that there’s nothing quite like it. Mardi Gras season will present you with a 24-hour party the likes of which few people over 25 could possibly tolerate.

Most people think of the French Quarter and Bourbon St. when they think the Big Easy, but it’s a helluva lot more than that. This place is a cultural hub and one of the weirdest places in America. We mean that in the best way possible.

Those that really know New Orleans will tell you to go there for the food and the music. Viet-cajun food is the hot new thing and jazz music is the always hot thing. Walk around the streets, admire the architecture, and have a hurricane or two.

3) Charleston, SC

Upon arriving in Charleston, you’ll probably think to yourself, “this place looks old”. You wouldn’t be wrong. It was founded in 1670 by English settlers and was one of the prominent cities in the pre-war south. Now, it’s an unassuming seaside trip through southern history.

Many of the old buildings still remain in the old city. Cobblestone roads and small general shops line the roads, giving it a real down-home feel. There’s a fairly large contingent of writers, artists, and chefs that have settled down in Charleston because of its serene beauty. Oh, and Bill Murray.

4) Nashville, TN

Do yourself a favor and stay away from Broadway when you go to Nashville. Unless you’re really into tacky new-country honky tonks and bachelorette parties, you’re best to stay off the beaten path.

Nashville is an up and coming city full of young songwriters and musicians trying to break into the world of country music and fight back against what Nashville’s reputation has become. The five-points area is home to cool low-key bars with amazing live music and cheap drinks.

If you do hit up Broadway, make sure to stop at the historic Ryman Auditorium and Robert’s Western World. This should give you a taste of what that area would’ve been like in the ’60s and ’70s, during the golden age of country. You’ll never watch better musicians whilst drinking a PBR.

5) Independence, MO

Independence is a charming town outside of Kansas City, known for being the home of former President Harry S. Truman. There are many monuments, a library, and a museum dedicated to his life and presidency.

Make a day trip into Kansas City, which is a hub of BBQ and jazz music. Make sure to arrive with an empty stomach, you’ll need all the space you can get for all of that meat.

Independence itself is a quaint city with lots of art galleries and small museums and historic sites. Learn more about visiting Independence and book your trip to the Kansas City area today.

6) Atlanta, GA

Atlanta is another city that can’t really be described. It doesn’t feature in very many “vacation destination” lists, but there’s an uncanny spirit to the city that is infectious for those that have visited it.

It’s known as the cultural capital of the United States. Whether that’s true or not, we don’t know, but the people are lovely and there’s a ton of amazing Civil War and Civil Rights history buried in Atlanta.

7) Asheville, NC

Do you like craft beer?

If you do, then Asheville is the place to be. It’s become the beer hub of the south, rivaling other beer-centric towns like Burlington, VT, and Grand Rapids, MI.

Like most craft beer cities, Asheville is bustling with arts, music, and culture from all of its young residents. If you’re in the mood for a gallery opening or an underground indie-rock show, Asheville’s got that.

We should also mention that Asheville is nestled comfortably in the Blue Ridge Mountains. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are many biking and hiking trails to venture onto. Just don’t have too many wobbly pops beforehand.

8) Montgomery, AL

Montgomery is an extremely historic southern city. Alabama’s capital city was prominent during the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s. There are many monuments and museums to commemorate that fact.

If you find yourself in Montgomery, you have to go to the following places: The Rosa Parks Museum, the Civil Rights Memorial Center, the First White House of the Confederacy, the Dr. Martin Luther King Home, and the Museum of Alabama.

Those are just a few of the dozens of museums you’ll find in Montgomery. It’s a heavy place, but it’s worth it to learn about the rich history of the area during that time period.

Get Out of the Cold, Go on Southern Vacation

So, what do you think? We’d say it’s time to get out of the cold and go on a nice, long southern vacation. These places aren’t just hot because of the weather, they’re hotbeds of culture and history.

Every American should visit these cities at least once in their lifetime. Don’t deprive yourself of all that southern hospitality.